System for purchasing CNC program-use licenses over the internet, utilizing the CNC machine control

Abstract

An Internet is connected to both a host computer and a computer numerical controller that is controlling a CNC machine. Stored therein the controller is an encrypted program which requires a pre-paid license to decrypt the encrypted program first before execution of the program by the controller is made possible. When the number of pre-paid licenses are all used, the controller facilitates the purchase of a number of pre-paid licenses with the host computer via the Internet.

1 . A method to obtain a license from a host computer via an Internet to decrypt an encrypted program pre-stored in a computer numerical controller, comprising a step of: 
 a. selecting the encrypted program pre-stored in the controller.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of: 
 b. checking a licensing status of the encrypted program.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising a step of: 
 c. determining whether any pre-paid license remains for the encrypted program based on the licensing status.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising a step of: 
 d. applying a code associated with a pre-paid license to decrypt the encrypted program and executing a predetermined portion of the decrypted program if any pre-paid license remains.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising a step of: 
 e. continuing execution of the predetermined portion of the decrypted program.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising a step of: 
 f. decrementing a count of any pre-paid licenses by one after completing execution of the predetermined portion of the decrypted program.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a step of: 
 g. continuing execution of the decrypted program until completion.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of: 
 h. prompting whether to purchase any license if no pre-paid license remains.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a step of: 
 i. ending operation if an input of not to purchase any license is received.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a step of: 
 j. prompting to enter a password associated with the computer numerical controller if an input to purchase a number of licenses is received.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a step of: 
 k. prompting to enter a number of licenses to be purchased.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising a step of: 
 l. automatically establishing a communication between the controller and the host computer over the Internet.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a step of: 
 m. determining based on the password whether a registration number is pre-established with the host computer.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of: 
 n. verifying a credit card information associated with the registration number with a credit company if the registration number is pre-established.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a step of: 
 o. automatically making a bill presentment to the credit card company.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of: 
 p. downloading a number of licenses purchased and associated codes to the controller via the Internet, then go to step c.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of: 
 q. prompting to enter registration information to establish a registration number if a registration number is not pre-established with the host computer.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a step of: 
 r. collecting registration information.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising a step of: 
 s. prompting to enter credit card information.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of: 
 t. collecting credit card information then go to step n.    
   
   
       21 . A computer numerical controlled machining system, comprising: 
 a host computer with a web-site being connected to an Internet;    a computer numerical controller with a monitor, an input device and a storage device being connected to the Internet;    a machine with a worktable being supported by a base member, wherein the base member comprises a first pair of rails;    a gantry being moveably secured to the first pair of rails along a Y-axis; the gantry comprises a disposed transversely section located above a pair of leg members, wherein the disposed transversely section comprises a second pair of rails;    a support assembly being moveably secured to the second pair of rails along an X-axis, wherein the support assembly comprises a third pair of rails;    an electric spindle being moveably secured to the third pair of rails along a Z-axis;    wherein the electric spindle being displaceable along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis.    
   
   
       22 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 21 , wherein a pre-stored encrypted program being stored in the storage device of said controller.  
   
   
       23 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 21 , wherein the electric spindle is stationary and the workstation is moveable along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis.  
   
   
       24 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 22 , wherein the monitor displays to an end-user a list of available programs.  
   
   
       25 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 24 , wherein the input device received entry of selecting the pre-stored encrypted program from the list of available programs.  
   
   
       26 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 25 , wherein the controller checks a program licensing status of the pre-stored encrypted program.  
   
   
       27 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 26 , wherein the controller makes a determination as to whether any pre-paid license is available for the pre-stored encrypted program.  
   
   
       28 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 27 , wherein the controller uses a code associated with a pre-paid license to decrypt the pre-stored encrypted program and starts execution of a predetermined portion of the decrypted program if it is determined that a pre-paid license is available.  
   
   
       29 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 28 , wherein upon completing execution of the predetermined portion of the decrypted program, the controller decrements a count of any pre-paid licenses by one.  
   
   
       30 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller continued execution of the decrypted program until completion.  
   
   
       31 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 27 , wherein the monitor prompts a decision whether to purchase any pre-paid license if the determination indicates no more pre-paid license is available.  
   
   
       32 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 31 , wherein the controller ends operation if an input of not to purchase any license is received from the input device.  
   
   
       33 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 31 , wherein the monitor prompts an entry of a password and a quantity of pre-paid licenses to be purchased.  
   
   
       34 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 33 , wherein the controller automatically establishes a communication with the host computer via the Internet upon receiving entry of the password and the quantity of pre-paid licenses to be purchased.  
   
   
       35 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 34 , wherein the host computer makes a determination as to whether a registration number associated with the controller is pre-established.  
   
   
       36 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 35 , wherein the host computer makes a determination as to whether the end-user associated with the controller is a registered purchaser with credit card information pre-stored in the host computer.  
   
   
       37 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 36 , wherein the host computer verifies credit card validity provided by the end-user with a credit card company and makes a bill presentment to the credit card company if the determination indicates that the end-user is a registered purchaser.  
   
   
       38 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 37 , wherein a number of codes corresponding to the quantity of pre-paid licenses to be purchased is downloaded from the host computer to the controller via the Internet.  
   
   
       39 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 36 , wherein the monitor prompts the end-user to provide registration information if the determination indicates that the end-user is not a registered purchaser.  
   
   
       40 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 39 , wherein registration information is entered via the input device.  
   
   
       41 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 40 , wherein the monitor prompts the end-user to provide credit card information.  
   
   
       42 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 41 , wherein credit card information is entered via the input device.  
   
   
       43 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 42 , wherein the host computer makes a verification as to the validity of the credit card information with a credit card company and makes a bill presentment to the credit card company.  
   
   
       44 . The computer numerical controlled machining system of  claim 43 , wherein a number of codes corresponding to the quantity of pre-paid licenses to be purchased is downloaded from the host computer to the controller via the Internet.  
   
   
       45 . A computer numerical controlled machining system, comprising: 
 a controller pre-stored with an encrypted program that can be decrypted by a license;    a host computer selling the license;    wherein the controller and the host computer are connected with each other via an Internet so that the license is downloaded from the host computer to the controller.